While most of the recent media attention on NASA has understandably focused on the Curiosity rover on Mars, that’s not the only experiment that the space and aeronautics research agency has in the works. A team at NASA’s Ames Research center in Moffett Field, California, is working on the future launch of miniature satellites constructed with Android-powered Nexus One smartphones at the helm. Dubbed “PhoneSat,” this project is part of a larger experiment called the Small Spacecraft Technology Program that incorporates small consumer electronics into working nanosatellites.

Nikon is releasing the CoolPix S800C in September. With the Android and WiFi powered, you will be able to use your favourite application (Whatsapp, Facebook, Ubuntu One, DropBox, etc.) to share photos easily. Here is the cool features of the CoolPix.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy SIII Jelly Bean operating system tests have passed through the firmware tests and is currently awaiting a few things including a ‘public version of software agreement’ from Google. There have been no issues in the testing of the SII and Galaxy note Jelly bean so far but they went ahead and said that in case they change their minds on the update, they may roll out a ‘value pack’. There is no cause for worry on this issue now though considering that the SIII and the Galaxy Note 2 are still the hottest items in the Android market at the moment.

XBMC Media Center is a very popular free and open source cross platform media player application that is developed by the XBMC Foundation. Being an open source application, XBMC media center software is available for multiple operating-systems and hardware platforms.

It has been a popular alternative to Windows Media Centre and likes, and now the popular platform is finally going to be available for Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is being priced to compete with Amazon Fire. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with WiFi is priced at US$249, just $50 more than Kindle fire but offers a lot more features. Here is how they compare:

For those who have been waiting for Android 4.0, there is a good news and bad news. Good news for those who’s device will receive the update, bad news for those who won’t get the update! Here is the list.

The Amazon Kindle Fire has started price war. Since its priced at $199, other similar tablets have to drop prices to stay afloat. Blackberry playbook has already dropped pricing starting at $300. Now HTC flyer is down to $299 from $499, a $200 price drop on Bestbuy. Here is how they compare:

Features

Amazon
Fire

HTC
Flyer

Processor

Dual Core 1GHz

1.5 GHz

Storage

8
GB

16
GB

Expandable Memory

No

Yes

Size

7 inches

7 inches

Display

Capacitive
Touch with IPS

Capacitive Touch

3G

No

No

Camera

No

5MP

Front Camera

No

1.3MP

Bluetooth

No

3.0

GPS

No

Yes

Weight

413g

420g

OS

Android (customised)

Android 2.3

Overall the HTC Flyer looks like a better bet with GPS, 2 cameras, 16GB and expandable memory all fur just a $100 more. Besides it also has full fledged Android rather than restricted customised Android in the Fire.

Note: Both don’t have 3G. If you need 3G connectivity, look elsewhere.

Motorola has updated the Defy with Defy + which is scheduled to launch in September.

Most of the specs remain the same of the earlier one like Gorilla Glass a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. The size and dimensions also remain the same with 3.7″ screen. Like the Defy, the Defy + is also waterproof, dust proof and scratch proof.

The processor has been upgraded to 1 GHz, a larger 1750 mAh battery and android has been updated to 2.3.3. This should improve the performance and user experience.